Calusa Day Coming To Historical Village

Calusa Day Coming To Historical Village

The Sanibel Historical Village will again honor the Calusa Indians with a festive and informative day-long event, Calusa Day, on Wednesday, March 22.

The Calusa people had a complex society for over a thousand years before contact with Ponce de Leon in 1513. By the 17th century, there were few Calusa left. The historical village has artifacts from archaeological digs that illustrate their daily life and art. Calusa Day is an opportunity for people to see and hear more of their history.

Join curator Theresa Schober, author of ArtCalusa, Exploring the Calusa in Art. Schober interprets the life and experiences of the Calusa Indians through their contact with early European explorers.

Schober is an archaeologist and cultural resource consultant working in south Florida since 1998. For nine years she directed the restoration and exhibit development at Mound House and Newton Park on Fort Myers Beach. Schober is also executive producer of a forthcoming documentary film about the Calusa capital of Mound Key in Estero Bay.

Village docents specializing in the Calusa will give talks in the museum’s Calusa room: Susan Schmidt in the morning and Bonnie Frankel in the afternoon.

Calusa Day will include activities for the children including coloring Calusa masks. There will also be Calusa shells and pottery available for viewing and handling.

The historical village is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays. The village is located at 950 Dunlop Road (next to BIG ARTS). Admission is $10 for adults 18 and older; those under 18 and members are free. Docent-guided tours are available at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at no extra charge, based upon docent availability. There is handicap access to all buildings. For information, call 472-4648 during business hours or visit www.sanibelmuseum.org.